8th Annual Wayland Community Expo schedule announced

On Saturday, Oct. 6, the Wayland Area Chamber of Commerce will be hosting their 8th Annual Business Expo from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Wayland Union Middle School, 701 Wildcat Drive in Wayland. The purpose of the expo is to highlight area businesses, products and services available in the Wayland and immediate surrounding area, while offering some fantastic entertainment and educational opportunities for visitors.

Attractions for 2012

UH-60M Blackhawk Helicopter
For their second year, the chamber will be welcoming a UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter that visitors can view landing, interact with the pilots and take a tour before watching the amazing take-off. Visitors are encouraged to bring their camera to capture pictures of this rare opportunity. Times of the amazing touch-down and take-off will be announced on the chamber website and Facebook site as Expo nears. Please note, the Blackhawk attraction is weather permitting.

“Meet GRIFF from the Grand Rapids Griffins”
The Chamber is proud to announce Griff will be on hand to kick off the 2012/2013 hockey season. Griff - the mascot from the Grand Rapids Griffins, will be on hand between 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. to greet visitors.

Educational Presentations
Two 45-minute educational presentations will take place at the end of the main hallway near the cafeteria by Rick the Reptile Guy. At 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., “Rick the Reptile Guy” from the Boulder Ridge Wild Animal Park in Alto will be on hand with plenty of small reptiles during his extremely energetic presentation about these creatures. “Rick the Reptile Guy” received his nickname from the crocodile hunter himself, Steve Irwin. After performing shows from his own personal collection for over 10 years, Rick now brings his expertise to Boulder Ridge as the resident reptile expert.

Children’s ID Cards
Receive your free Child’s Identification Kit.

Shredding Service
Shred Docs will be available from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. to shred homeowners' documents on site (up to 25 pounds). (This complimentary service is available for homeowners, businesses are excluded) - Sponsored by United Bank of Michigan

Mums for Charity
Peereboom’s Garden Center & Greenhouse will have a wagon full of beautiful fall mums located adjacent to the front entrance of the expo. Purchase your mums at the expo for special pricing where a portion of the day’s sales will go towards Wings of Hope Hospice in Allegan County.

Musical Entertainment
Enjoy the music of the folk band The Woodknots (formally known as the Woodtones). The Woodknots will be playing in the cafeteria from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Returning in 2012
• Meet with area business owners and key employees from area businesses and organizations - all at the same time and under one roof!
• The extremely popular “Taste of Wayland Area” food court. The food court will be offering free samples of food from restaurants, bakeries, delis, and vendors around the area.
• Vendor Bingo: Available to the first 500 adults. Pick up a vendor bingo card from the Chamber Welcome Table and then take it to the vendors on the card to mark. When you have a “Bingo,” return the card back to the Welcome Table and you will be entered to win one of six $25 VISA gift cards sponsored by Chemical Bank.
• Reusable Canvas Bags - free to the first 500 adults.
• Grocery Guess Game: At the entrance to Expo, a vehicle from Ed Koehn Ford will have a trunk full of groceries. Guess the total cost of the groceries to be registered to win. The closest entry wins the entire trunk full of groceries. Sponsored by Ed Koehn Ford of Wayland.
• Register to win various contests among our approximate 100 vendors.
• Meet with your local state, city, and county emergency service personnel in the front parking lot.
• Free parking and free admission.

For more information about the 2012 Wayland Community Expo or participating in the expo contact Chamber Executive Director Denise Behm at denise@waylandchamber.org or 269-792-9246.